Mini Cereal Boxes: Make A Big Impact On Customers

Most cereal manufacturers often ask how they can design mini cereal boxes that leave the customers wanting more.

Well, the answer to that question can be rather complicated. It’s not one thing that makes mini boxes of cereal stand out.

This blog will look into a few things you can consider when designing a mini cereal box.

Let’s start.

Mini Cereal Boxes: How Do They Differ?

First things first, we have to see how mini cereal boxes differ from their larger counterparts.

Smaller boxes are often found at convenience stores, gas stations and vending machines.

The majority of these places have limited selling space, and mini cereal boxes offer a solution for this.

They offer the same cereal as the regular size but in smaller portions.

Mini boxes of cereal can be anything from 2-3 ounces compared to their larger counterparts, around 10 ounces or more.

The benefit of these small portions is that they:

• Help keep the freshness of cereal for longer.
• Make it easier to carry around.
• Help save on freight costs because the mini boxes are less in weight than their larger counterparts

The downside? You get less cereal and smaller portions which many people may not prefer.

How Do Manufacturers Design These Small Boxes?

Most manufacturers find that customers who buy a mini box do not usually finish their cereal in one sitting.

So manufacturers design the boxes to keep freshness for as long as possible. That means they make the boxes with thicker paper boards to ensure that storage conditions are optimal for longer periods. 

That helps reduce food wastage as well as save on costs.

But What More Can A Manufacturer Do To Make Mini Cereal Boxes Stand Out?

Here’s the answer: Many manufacturers place a sticker on top of the box with information about contents. Some may also include an attractive picture or graphic.

Some others chose to use various shapes and sizes for their small cereal boxes, but this is mainly done as eye candy and has no real added benefit for customers.

How Should Manufacturers Decide The Format Of The Boxes?

There is no one answer to this question because it varies from cereal brand to cereal brand and maybe even between products within a particular cereal brand.

To help you make your mind on what would work best for your product, consider these questions:

• What main benefit do you want to highlight when offering your cereal in a mini box?
• Is there an added benefit that your customers would like? (such as convenience or freshness)
• Many people who would like smaller portions rather than one user?
• Will the contents of your mini cereal box be sold within a short period?
• Does your product require a longer storage time even when it is in a smaller size?
• Is there anything else that you want to highlight about your brand or product to customers? (such as nutrition, easy-open tab etc.)

Once you have answered these questions, you can consider how your product will be stored.

Thicker Paper

If you have decided that it should be stored for a short period or that many people will consume the contents within a short period, then go ahead with creating boxes with thicker paper, so they stay fresh longer even when transported to different stores.

Finishing Coats

Suppose you want your cereal mini boxes to be able to withstand different temperatures and conditions. In that case, you should consider thicker paper and the use of laminated papers or finishing coats.

Window Patching

It may also pay to use a 4-way window design if it is important for customers to see the box’s full contents or how it looks like when opened up.

Some manufacturers may even choose to put clear plastic lids on their cereal boxes.

Embossing/ Debossing

You can also consider adding embossing or debossed designs to the boxes. With such design features, manufacturers can include expiry dates and barcodes on the boxes.

Custom Prints

If you want your cereal mini boxes to stand out, consider custom prints. 

Using the right printing techniques is important because they also help protect against counterfeiting or tampering of products.

Machinery can imprint designs on both sides of the paper boxes in a four-colour process. But most manufacturers choose to use stickers instead of printing directly on the box.

How Do You Ensure That Your Product Is Protected On Its Way To Customers?

It is important for manufacturers to create packaging that meets quality standards, but it must also be able to withstand all different types of conditions, especially on its way from the manufacturer until it reaches the hands of consumers. 

Some manufacturers choose to use corrugated cardboard that is tough and thick enough to protect the contents of cereal mini boxes. 

But some others prefer flexible packagings like plastic bags and pouches. These materials are easy to print on and can be used as a platform for information such as expiry dates or bar codes.

Manufacturers also include a seal or closure on their packaging to protect against tampering.

One common method is a ‘peel and reseal’ concept, where consumers can simply lift the flap of the box and reseal it once they have opened up the contents.

What are some other ways that you can keep your product fresh?

Manufacturers will often choose resealable packaging, which is practical and convenient for consumers. 

That also helps keep cereal mini boxes fresh and prevents them from going stale or becoming weathered. 

Another added benefit is that manufacturers can use this as a marketing tool by including nutritional information on their resealable bags.

Keeping your product fresh will increase its chances of being sold and consumed by customers. 

To Sum It Up

Cereal boxes mini size packaging is a great way to showcase your product easily.

The best reason to package cereal in mini boxes is that it helps you increase profits by helping retailers sell more products in less time and space while allowing them to cater to impulse purchases.

Mini cereal boxes can be made of paper or plastic. They may even include resealable packaging made from peel and seal materials.

Regardless of which kind of material you use, just make sure that it has a high-quality finish and is able to withstand different types of conditions, so your cereal mini boxes stay fresh during transport.

Packaging Bee helps you design and create some of the best mini cereal boxes to help you grow your business.